scope:

Two series of static tests on longitudinally stiffened steel plate girders are described. The first series consisted of six static bending tests on six longitudinally stiffened specimens. The experimental variables were the panel size and the longitudinal stiffener size. The primary objectives of this series were: (1) to determine to what extent longitudinal stiffeners can contribute to the resistance of the web to vertical buckling of the compression flange, (2) to determine how the stress redistribution at loads above the theoretical web buckling load is affected by the presence of a longitudinal stiffener and (3) to determine to what extent lateral web deflections can be reduced by the use of a longitudinal stiffener. The second test series consisted of eight static shear tests on four longitudinally stiffened plate girders. The experimental variables were the panel aspect ratio and the longitudinal stiffener location and size. The primary objectives of these tests were to determine the effect of longitudinal stiffeners on the static behavior of plate girder panels subjected to high shear and to determine the contribution of longitudinal stiffeners to the static shear strength of plate girders.